intake
Americannoun
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the place or opening at which a fluid is taken into a channel, pipe, etc.
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an act or instance of taking in.
an intake of oxygen.
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something that is taken in.
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a quantity taken in.
an intake of 50 gallons a minute.
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a narrowing; contraction.
noun
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a thing or a quantity taken in
an intake of students
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the act of taking in
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the opening through which fluid enters a duct or channel, esp the air inlet of a jet engine
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a ventilation shaft in a mine
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a contraction or narrowing
an intake in a garment
Etymology
Origin of intake
First recorded in 1515–25; noun use of verb phrase take in
Explanation
The act of consuming food can be called intake. A veterinarian might advise you to limit your dog's intake of pizza crusts, for example. While the process of eating can be called your intake, unless you're a militant dieter who weighs every ounce of food you consume, you're most likely to hear the word intake in a hospital or doctor's office. Caregivers might be concerned about a patient's intake of calories if he's very sick, or a dietitian might recommend an elderly woman increase her intake of calcium.
Vocabulary lists containing intake
"Modern Automotive Technology," Vocabulary from Section 2
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Articles on Nutrition
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Anyone with these conditions should discuss caffeine intake with their doctor.
From Science Daily • May 18, 2026
The doctor who prescribed the drug didn’t tell her to exercise, though the pharmacy that sold the medication gave her information on exercise and protein intake, she said.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026
Pombo dismisses many of my thoughts on balancing out my salt intake.
From BBC • May 15, 2026
The intake process for new detainees, which includes a medical and mental health screening, is supposed to take place within 12 hours of their arrival.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026
I was ready with a fake stomachache, but Mom and Dad were like, You're staying home and doing this, then handed me this intake worksheet from the justice center.
From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
